Senate Resolution No. 2259

BY: Senator AKSHAR

COMMENDING Sergeant Robert J. Bloom upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Sergeant Robert J. Bloom upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, On November 1, 2019, off-duty New York State Police
Sergeant Robert J. Bloom was driving to the Broome County Police Academy
graduation ceremony, where he was set to perform as a member of the
Memorial Maloney Pipe and Drum, when he saw a large plume of smoke
through the trees; quickly recognizing the smoke to be indicative of a
house fire, he immediately made his way to Brookside Avenue in
Apalachin, New York; and

WHEREAS, First to arrive on the scene, Sergeant Robert J. Bloom
observed the residence to be partially engulfed in flames and ran up to
the two men standing in the driveway who he determined to be the
homeowner and a neighbor; and

WHEREAS, After learning that the homeowner's wife and son, who is
bedridden, were still in the home, Sergeant Robert J. Bloom rallied the
men to follow him into the residence as it filled with grey smoke; and

WHEREAS, Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, Sergeant
Robert J. Bloom led the men through the back door to the living room
where he immediately located the wife and instructed her to exit the
home; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Robert J. Bloom then followed the homeowner to the
bedroom of his son, a 36-year old physically disabled male who was
connected to various medical equipment, and together the three men
lifted him into a wheelchair; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Sergeant Robert J. Bloom began to push
the wheelchair through the hallway towards the porch while instructing
the other two men to crawl below the thick black smoke that now filled
the home, and all four men exited the residence; and

WHEREAS, At great personal risk, Sergeant Robert J. Bloom
undoubtedly helped save the life of this trapped man; had it not been
for his quick response, thoughtful actions and bravery, the outcome
would have likely been tragic; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Robert J. Bloom's heroic and selfless act in a
dire situation are in keeping with the highest traditions of the New
York State Police; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Robert J. Bloom has so aptly demonstrated his
character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by
virtue of his action, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across
the community of New York State who voluntarily respond without thought
of danger or reward when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Sergeant Robert J. Bloom upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sergeant Robert J. Bloom.